Method, System and Product for a Parking Auction

ABSTRACT

A method, apparatus and product for parking auctions. One method comprises: detecting a parking exit event is about to occur for a vehicle in a parking spot; initiating a real-time auction between relevant drivers that are in a proximity of the parking spot and are searching for parking; selecting a winning bid from one or more bids for the parking spot, wherein the winning driver provided the winning bid; displaying locations over time of the winning driver, whereby the user can track the location of the winning driver; and notifying the user upon the winner driving arriving at the parking spot, whereby the user can vacate the parking spot for the winner driver. Another method comprises while a vehicle is searching for parking, participating, using a mobile device, in an auction for a parking spot.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/893,315 filed Oct. 21, 2013, entitled “Parking Auction”, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to computer-aided parking, in general,and to a system for performing parking auction, in particular.

BACKGROUND

Finding a parking spot for a vehicle may be a hard task. In denselypopulated areas, or where on-street parking is sparse, a driver may relyon luck, knowledge of unfamiliar parking spots, or simply waste timesearching for a parking spot that becomes available.

One strategy of some drivers is to wait in certain locations in the hopeof seeing another driver walking to her car and exiting a near-b)parking. Another strategy is to continue driving until a parking spot isfound. In either way, the drivers may prefer to search for the parkingin a location that is relatively close (e.g., within a reasonablewalking distance) from their target destination. In many cases, a driverthat did not find a parking spot would give up and prefer to search fora paid parking spot instead of spending more time searching for free orcheap parking.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is a methodcomprising: detecting, by a mobile device, a parking exit event is aboutto occur for a vehicle in a parking spot; initiating a real-time auctionbetween relevant drivers that are in a proximity of the parking spot andare searching for parking, whereby one or more bids for the parking spotare provided, wherein each bid comprises a compensation for the parkingspot; and selecting a winning bid from the one or more bids, wherein thewinning bid is associated with a winning driver; displaying to a user ofthe mobile device, in real time, locations over time of the winningdriver, whereby the user can track the location of the winning driver;and notifying the user upon the winner driving arriving at the parkingspot, whereby the user can vacate the parking spot for the winnerdriver.

Another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is a methodcomprising: while a vehicle is searching for parking, participating in areal-time auction for a parking spot, wherein said participating isperformed by a mobile device of a user located within the vehicle;wherein said participating comprises: retrieving a list of activeauctions for parking spots in a proximity of a location of the vehicleand a target destination of the user; selecting an auction from the listof active auctions; and providing a bid in the auction.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is acomputerized apparatus having a processor, the processor being adaptedto perform the steps of: detecting, by a mobile device, a parking exitevent is about to occur for a vehicle in a parking spot; initiating areal-time auction between relevant drivers that are in a proximity ofthe parking spot and are searching for parking, whereby one or more bidsfor the parking spot are provided, wherein each bid comprises acompensation for the parking spot; and selecting a winning bid from theone or more bids, wherein the winning bid is associated with a winningdriver; displaying to a user of the mobile device, in real time,locations over time of the winning driver, whereby the user can trackthe location of the winning driver; and notifying the user upon thewinner driving arriving at the parking spot, whereby the user can vacatethe parking spot for the winner driver.

THE BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosed subject matter will be understood and appreciatedmore fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the drawings in which corresponding or like numerals or charactersindicate corresponding or like components. Unless indicated otherwise,the drawings provide exemplary embodiments or aspects of the disclosureand do not limit the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows an illustration of a computerized environment, inaccordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter:

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart diagram of a method, in accordance with someexemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 3 shows a GUI, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter; and

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart diagram of a method, in accordance with someexemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the present disclosure, a “mobile device” is a device that is nonstationary, such as a mobile phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA),a tablet computer, or the like. The mobile device may be mounted on avehicle or carried by a user. The mobile device may have computingcapabilities and may comprise sensors, such as but not limited topositioning module, an accelerometer, an RF receiver, or the like.

In the present disclosure, a “positioning module” is a module capable ofdetermining a position of the mobile device. The positioning module maybe, for example, a GPS receiver that utilizes GPS signals to determinelocation. As another example, the positioning module may determine thelocation of the mobile device based on triangulation of signals fromcell towers, Wi-Fi networks or the like. Other positioning methods,which may provide a more or less precise location of the mobile device,may be utilized as well.

In the present disclosure, a “parking exit event” is an event in which avehicle enters into a parking spot and vacates the parking spot. Theparking exit event may be detected automatically, for example by amobile device, or manually, for example by a user input. Parking exitevent may be detected based on movements of the mobile device or othersensor. In some exemplary embodiments, an expected future occurrence ofa parking exit event may be detected. Such a detection may be based onuser input notifying a system that the user is returning to his parkedvehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the detection may be performedautomatically based on detecting a movement of the user while returningtowards the parking spot of the vehicle. The parking spot may bedetected automatically when the user had parked the vehicle (e.g., by apositioning module in response to a user command or fully automaticallyby a positioning module in response to an automatic detection of aparking event).

One technical problem dealt with by the disclosed subject matter is toprovide a mechanism of matching between vacating parking spots andvehicles searching for parking. In particular, matching between thevacating parking spots and the drivers needs to be performed in a mannerwhich would ensure that the matched driver enters to the parking spotand that a third party driver will not enter the parking spot instead.

One technical solution is to utilize an auction-based solution in whichusers leaving parking spots auction their parking spot between acommunity of drivers. Drivers searching for parking spot in the vicinityof the vacating parking spot may participate in the auction by biding.The winner may be directed towards the parking spot and once arriving,the parking spot may be vacated. In some exemplary embodiments, each bidmay be associated with a compensation to the user, such as real money,funny money, credit, rating, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, once a winner of an auction isdetermined, the user vacating the parking spot may be provided withrelevant information, including real time positioning information of thewinner to allow the user to know when the winner will arrive at theparking spot. In some cases, when the winner arrives at the parkinglocation, a notification to the user may be provided so as to indicateto the user that he can vacate the parking spot and allow the winnerdriver to park in the parking spot. In some cases, the notification maybe provided after the winner has manually interacted with a UI element,such as a button, to manually indicate that he arrived and is waitingfor the user to vacate the parking spot.

In some cases, the auction may be defined as relevant only to drivers ina certain distance measurement from the parking spot, so as to avoidhaving the user wait for a long time before vacating the parking spot.In some cases, the distance measurement may be an estimated arrival timeat the parking spot (which may take into account traffic information,road information, or the like). Additionally or alternatively, thedistance measurement may be driving distance to the parking spot. Insome cases, after an auction is initiated, if there are now relevantbids, the relevant distance measurement threshold may be increased toallow additional drivers to participate in the real-time auction.

In some cases, the initiation of the auction may be automatic and mayoccur prior to the user arriving at his parked vehicle. For example, themobile device of the user may gather information using its sensors, suchas its position, acceleration readings, or the like. Based on thegathered information, it may be deduced that the user is returning tohis parked vehicle, the location of which may be manually provided bythe user or automatically determined at parking. In some exemplaryembodiments, the selection of the winning bid may also be automatic,such as based on predefined rules. In such a case, the entire system maybe automatic and may be utilized without user action or using minimaluser interaction. In some cases, the auction may be initiated before theuser arrives at the parked vehicle and may be defined as relevant fordrivers that are estimated to arrive at the parking location before theuser arrives to the parking spot so as to avoid having the user wait. Asan example, assuming that the user is estimated to arrive at the parkingspot within 97 seconds, only drivers that are estimated to arrive to theparking spot in no more than about 97 seconds (e.g., 90 seconds, 100seconds, 110 seconds, or the like) may be allowed to participate. Insome cases, the threshold defining the relevant drivers may defined asexactly or about the estimated arrival of the user (e.g., +10%, +20%,etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the threshold may be defined asabout the estimated arrival of the user and no more than an additionaldelta, such as one minute, two minutes, five minutes, or the like.

In some cases, the selection of a winning bid in the auction may bemanual by the user. The user may be presented with the bids and mayselect the winning bid based on his preference. In some cases, aGraphical User Interface (GUI) may be used to present the bids and theirrespective compensation. In some cases, the GUI may also display thedistance measurement of each bid. In some cases, the bids may be rankedand/or ordered based on various parameters, such as but not limited toranking of the bidding driver, compensation, distance measurement,combination thereof, or the like.

Another technical solution may be to enable a driver that is searchingfor parking to participate in an auction for parking. The participationmay be performed using a mobile device of the driver. A list of activerelevant auctions may be retrieved, such as from a server. The relevantauctions may be auctions in which the driver may participate. Therelevant auctions may be auctions for spots in a proximity of thelocation of the driver, auctions for spots that are within somethreshold distance measurement from the current location of the driver,or the like. In some cases, the relevant auctions may be auctions thatare also in proximity to the target destination of the driver, such aswithin a threshold walking distance to the target destination. Thethreshold walking distance may be pre-defined by the driver, by thesystem, or the like.

In some cases, in case there are no relevant active auctions, thedefinition of “proximitv” may be modified and the search may beincreased for greater distances—walking distance, driving distance, orboth.

A bid may be provided to one or more active auction. In some exemplaryembodiments, the mobile device may provide the bid automatically, suchas selecting an auction to bid on based on predetermined rules, anddefining proposed compensation based on predetermined rules. Theproposed compensation may be determined as a function of the drivingdistance from the current location to the parking spot, the walkingdistance from the parking spot to the target destination, combinationthereof, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, the driver may bepresented with the list of active auctions to select from and the drivermay manually provide a bid to one or more auctions.

In case the driver wins in an auction, navigation directions may beprovided to lead the driver to the parking spot. During such time, thelocation of the driver may be transmitted, directly or indirectly (e.g.,via a server), to the user who is vacating the parking spot. Once thedriver arrives at the parking spot, the driver may indicate manually tohe has arrived and the user may then be notified to vacate the parkingspot. Additionally or alternatively, the notification may be transmittedautomatically. In some cases, the driver may be presented withinformation relating as to an ETA of the user, in case the user has notyet returned to the parking spot.

Referring now to FIG. 1 showing an illustration of a computerizedenvironment, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter.

Computerized Environment 100 comprises a Server 130 connected to aNetwork 105, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network(WAN), intranet, the Internet, or the like. Server 130 may be aprocessing device. Server 130 may be configured to obtain and processinformation from external sources, such as but not limited to mobiledevices (e.g., Mobile Device 110, Mobile Device 120).

Mobile Device 110, such as a mobile phone, a PDA, a tablet, or the like,may send information to Server 130 via Network 105. In some exemplaryembodiments, Mobile Device 110 may have a screen or other display systemto display information to the user. In some cases, Mobile Device 110 maybe a handheld device or otherwise carried by a user. In some exemplaryembodiments, Mobile Device 110 may gather information by sensors. Asensor of Mobile Device 110 may be a device measuring any physicalproperty, such as for example, an accelerometer, a positioning module, agyroscope, a compass, a barometer, a photosensor, sound sensor (e.g.,microphone), or the like. The sensors may include RF receivers,Bluetooth receivers or other receivers that are configured to receivesignals from external devices, such as, for example, external devicesdeployed in vehicles, signaling devices deployed at parking spaces usedto identif, the parking space, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, Mobile Device 110 may obtain sensorreadings useful for determining a mobility status of Mobile Device 110.“Mobility status” may be a status indicating a mode of movement ofMobile Device 110 or user holding Mobile Device 110. The mobility statusmay indicate a “driving” status (e.g., Mobile Device 110 is locatedwithin a vehicle that is being driven), a “walking” status (e.g., MobileDevice 110 is held by a person that is walking), a “non-driving” status(e.g., Mobile Device 110 is not located within a vehicle being driven),or the like. In some cases, the mobility status may be identified byreadings of an accelerometer of Mobile Device 110 and identification ofan acceleration curve that is indicative of the mobility status.However, the disclosed subject matter is not limited to such anembodiment, and other sensors may be utilized, such as, for example, apositioning module, in order to determine the mobility status of MobileDevice 110.

In some exemplary embodiments, Mobile Device 110 may be a device of auser (not shown). The identity of the user may or may not be known andavailable to Server 130. The user may use Vehicle 115. Vehicle 115 maybe a vehicle for which parking spot is required, such as but not limitedto a car, a bus, a truck, or the like. In some exemplary embodiments,the vehicle may require a parking location which comprises two or morespots, such as in case of a relatively large vehicle. In some exemplaryembodiments, the disclosed subject may be applied to 2-wheeled vehicles,such as motorcycles, however as 2-wvheeled vehicles may sometimes parkon sideways and not in predestinated on-street locations, a system inaccordance with the disclosed subject matter may exclude such vehicles.

In some exemplary embodiments, the user may use several vehicles atdifferent times. Mobile Device 110 may determine automatically whichvehicle is currently being used, such as based on its sensor readings.In some exemplary embodiments, methods and systems such as described inPCT/IL2014/050674, entitled “ASSOCIATING EXTERNAL DEVICES TO VEHICLESAND USAGE OF SAID ASSOCIATION”, filed on 24 Jul. 2014, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety, may be applied. In somecases, one vehicle may be associated with a parking zone and may havedifferent parking rights than other vehicles of different parking zones(or having no parking zone).

Mobile Device 110 may automatically determine parking sessions andpartial parking sessions, such as by detecting parking events andparking exit events and comparing their respective locations. MobileDevice 110 may send reports to Server 130 to notify Server 130 of theparking sessions. In some cases, Mobile Device 110 may also provideinformation regarding usage of parking payment system for the parkingsessions. Additionally or alternatively, Mobile Device 110 may reportuser actions that cancel automatic actions proposed in accordance withthe disclosed subject matter, so as to allow Server 130 to learn correctbehavior.

Similarly, Mobile Device 120 may be associated with a driver of Vehicle125. For the ease of explanation, below Mobile Device 110 is referred toas associated with the user vacating Vehicle 115 from the parking spot,and Mobile Device 120 is referred to as associated with the driversearching for parking for Vehicle 125. The user of Mobile Device 120 maybe generally referred to as “driver”. It will be understood, however,that each mobile device may be used at different times for differentpurposes.

Server 130 may be utilized to manage parking auctions. Mobile Device 110may initiate an auction for a parking spot. In some exemplaryembodiments, the auction may be initiated with a predetermined distancemeasurement which defines a maximal distance measurement (e.g., ETA,road distance, etc.) of the drivers who can participate in the auction.

Mobile Device 120 may query Server 130 to retrieve active auctions. Insome cases, Mobile Device 120 may retrieve only relevant auctions, suchas auctions for which Mobile Device 120 meets the maximal distancemeasurement criterion. In some exemplary embodiments, Mobile Device 120may retrieve auctions for parking spots that are in the proximity of thelocation of Mobile Device 120, the proximity of the destination of thedriver, combination thereof, or the like. The destination of the drivermay be inferred automatically (e.g., based on past destinations, basedon similar drivers) or provided manually, such as when using anavigation system. In some exemplary embodiments, Mobile Device 120 mayprovide to Server 130 a bid for an auction.

Server 130 may determine a winning bid in an auction. Additionally oralternatively, the winning bid may be determined, manually orautomatically, by Mobile Device 110 who initiated the auction. Uponselecting a winning bid, the auction may be deemed as no longer being anactive auction. Server 130 may notify the winning driver of winning theauction. Additionally or alternatively, upon selection of a winning bidall losing bidders may be notified.

It will be noted that Computerized Environment 100 is illustrated withone mobile device. However, the disclosed subject matter is not limitedto such an arrangement and any number of mobile devices may be part of acomputerized environment according to the disclosed subject matter.

Referring now to FIG. 2 showing a flowchart diagram of a method, inaccordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

In Step 200, a mobile device may detect beforehand that a parking exitevent is about to occur. The detection may be based on manual input bythe user, such as indicating the user is returning to the parkedvehicle. In one embodiment, the user may activate a “find my car”feature which is used to assist the user to return to the parkedvehicle. Based on the activation of such a feature, the mobile devicemay determine that the parking exit event is about to occur.Additionally or alternatively, the detection may be automatic withoutuser action. In some exemplary embodiments, the mobile device mayanalyze readings from its sensors, such as accelerometer, positioningmodule, or the like, to determine that the user is walking back to theparked vehicle. In some cases, a mobility status of the mobile device,such as a driving status, a walking status, a non-driving status, may bemonitored continuously and be used to identify automatically parkingevents. Upon a detection of a change of the mobility status from adriving status to a non-driving status, a parking event may bedetermined and a positioning module may be activated to determine alocation of the parking spot in which the vehicle has parked. After theuser has left the parking spot, readings from the mobile device may bemonitored to estimate whether or not the user is returning to the parkedvehicle. Machine learning, such as supervised or non-supervisedlearning, may be utilized to improve the prediction for the user overtime.

In Step 210, an estimated time until the parking exit event will occurmay be determined. The estimated time may be an Estimated Arrival Time(ETA) to the parking spot, an ETA to the parking spot to which estimatedexit maneuver time is added, or the like. In some exemplary embodiments,an Estimated Arrival Time (ETA) to the parked vehicle may be determined.The ETA may be determined based on estimated walking time from thecurrent location of the mobile device (e.g., provided by a positioningmodule) to the parking spot. In some cases, walking speed may beestimated. In some exemplary embodiments, machine learning may beutilized to improve prediction for the user over time, such as in casethe user walks faster than an average user, walks slower, or the like.In some cases, walking speed may be different in different terrains, atresidential v. industrial areas, or the like.

In Step 220, an auction for the parking spot may be activated. Theauction may be initiated manually or automatically.

In some cases, the auction may be initiated manually by the userindicating he is interested in auctioning the parking spot. The user maydefine manually a maximal distance measurement threshold forparticipating in the auction (e.g., a maximal amount of waiting time atthe vehicle he is willing to wait until vacating the vehicle), a minimalcompensation for the parking spot, or the like.

Additionally or alternatively, the auction may be initiatedautomatically without user action. The automatic auction may be definedbased on pre-existing rules. In some exemplary embodiments, the maximaldistance measurement threshold for the auction may be based on the ETAcomputed at Step 210. For example, the maximal distance measurement maybe exactly the estimated walking time to the parked vehicle so as toavoid the user having to wait to vacate the parking spot. Additionallyor alternatively, the maximal distance measurement may be based on theETA, such as 20% over the estimated walking time, the estimated walkingtime plus five minutes, or the like. A minimal compensation may bedefined automatically to the auction. The minimal compensation may bedetermined based on rules, such as preset rates for parking spots, whichmay be relevant to all parking spots, to parking spots in specificareas, to specific parking spots, or the like. The minimal compensationmay be determined also based on a history of auctions. In some cases,the user may manually modify any automatically defined parameter. Basedon past modifications, future compensation rates may be determined(e.g., using machine learning techniques).

In Step 230, bids from drivers participating in the real-time auctionmay be obtained. Each bid may comprise a compensation. In some exemplaryembodiments, a bid may also comprise a current location of the driver, aranking of the driver (e.g., ranked by the community in past parkingtransactions), a distance measurement between the driver and the parkingspot (e.g., ETA, road distance, etc.), or the like.

In Step 240, a winning bid may be selected. In some exemplaryembodiments, the winning bid may be selected automatically based onrules. In some cases, the automatic selection may be provided as asuggestion for the user to confirm. In some cases, the selection of thewinner may be automatically performed by a server, which may take intoaccount all active auctions. Additionally or alternatively, theselection may be automatically performed by a mobile device of the user.

Additionally or alternatively, the selection of the winning bid may be amanual selection. The user may be presented with the bids in a GUI andthe user may select the winning bid from the displayed bids. FIG. 3,which is discussed hereinbelow, exemplifies a GUI in accordance withsome embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

In Step 250, the user may be presented with current location informationof the winning driver. The user may be presented with a map in which thecurrent location of the winning driver is displayed. Additionally oralternatively, the location of the parking spot may be displayed on themap. Additionally or alternatively, the location of the user may bedisplayed on the map. In some exemplary embodiments, a display of themobile device may be used to show the map in a GUI. In some exemplaryembodiments, the GUI may also indicate ETA of the winning driver to theparking spot, ETA of the user to the parking spot, or the like. The mapmay be updated in real time to allow the user to track the winningdriver and be aware of when the driver is expected to arrive so as tovacate the parking spot in a correct timing.

In some exemplary embodiments, the GUI may indicate a vehicle make andmodel of the winning driver to allow for the user to recognize thewinning driver. A photograph of the vehicle and/or winning driver may bedisplayed.

In Step 260, upon the wining driver arriving to the parking spot, anotification may be provided to the user. The notification may beprovided automatically based on a determination that the winning driveris located near the parking spot (e.g., within a 10 meters radius, 50meter radius, or the like). Additionally or alternatively, the winningdriver may interact with a GUI element, such as press a GUI button, toindicate that he arrived at the parking spot and is waiting for theparking spot to be vacated.

In Step 270, the user vacates the parking spot and the winning driverparks in the parking spot.

In Step 280, a transaction is completed and the compensation is providedto the user. The compensation may be provided using third-party paymentsystems, using e-wallet or the like. In some cases, the transaction iscompleted using Near-Field Communication (NFC).

In Step 290, the user may rate the winning driver. The rating mayindicate for other users in the future whether or not they should acceptbids from the winning driver. As an example, the rating may be low ifthe winning driver refuses to complete the transaction or decides to tryand reduce the compensation.

In some exemplary embodiments, the winning driver or the user may cancelthe winning bid or the auction after the winning bid is selected andbefore the transaction is completed. In such a case, one party may wishto rate the other using a low rating.

Referring now to FIG. 3 showing a GUI, in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

GUI 300 presents bids to the auction of the user. As an example. Item310 represents a bid by one driver and Item 312 represents a bid byanother driver. Each item may indicate the driver (e.g., using initials,avatar, or the like). In some exemplary embodiments, an identity of abidder may remain anonymous. Each item may indicate a compensation (325)proposed by the bidding driver (320). Each item may indicate a distancemeasurement, such as for example, both an ETA (330) and Road Distance(RD) (332). Each item may indicate an Estimated Waiting Time (EWT)(340).

Assuming the estimated walking time of the user until reaching theparking spot is 4 minutes, the EWT may be ETA minus 4 minus, but notsmaller than zero. Each item may indicate a rating of the driver (350)

In some exemplary embodiments, the GUI presents the bids in an orderedmanner. The order may be based on automatic ranking of the bids. Theranking may be based on the compensation, the distance measurement, thedriver rating, combination thereof, or the like. For example, theranking may favor any bid for which the distance measurement is belowthe estimated walking time of the user to the parking spot. The rankingmay be indifferent of whether or not the driver will have to wait by theparking spot. For example, in case the estimated walking time is 5minutes, the ranking may favor a bid having an ETA of 4 minutes over abid having an ETA of 10 minutes. However, bids having ETA of 4 minutesand of 3 minutes may be considered equivalent. The ranking may favorhigher compensation. The ranking may favor higher driving ranking. Insome cases, the compensation of X units may be equivalent to waitingaddition Y time units. For example, one user may define that one minuteis equivalent to one USD. For such a user, a bid for which he would haveto wait 2 minutes and receive compensation of 2 USD is ranked the sameas a bid for which he would have to wait 4 minutes and receivecompensation of 4 USD.

Referring now to FIG. 4 showing a flowchart diagram of a method, inaccordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

In Step 400, a target destination of a vehicle may be determined. Thetarget destination may be provided by the user, such as when inputting atarget to a navigation system. Additionally or alternatively, the targetdestination may be determined automatically, such as based on thehistory of the driver and potentially similar drivers.

Machine learning and big data analysis techniques may be used to providefor an automatic prediction of the target destination. In some exemplaryembodiments, the driver may verify or modify a predicted targetdestination.

In Step 410, it may be determined that the vehicle is searching forparking. The determination that the vehicle is searching for parking maybe based on user input, such as turning on a parking assistancemechanism, or automatic, such as based on movements of the vehicle assensed by a mobile device. The automatic determination that the vehicleis searching for parking may be performed in a similar manner to thatdisclosed in PCT/IL2014/050672, “Parking Occupancy Estimation” to AnagogLTD, filed 24 Jul. 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety for all purposes.

In Step 420, a list of active auctions for parking spots that arerelevant for the driver of the vehicle is retrieved. The list of activeauctions may be retrieved from a server, such as Server 130 of FIG. 1.The active auctions may be auctions in which the driver can participate.The active auctions may be auctions that are in the proximity of thepresent location of the vehicle and the target destination of thedriver. In some cases, the driver may want to optimize the total ETA tothe destination. The time to the destination is comprised of both ETA tothe parking spot and estimated walking time from the parking spot to thetarget destination.

In some exemplary embodiments, some active auctions may be of usersvacating parking spots, while others may be of other players, such asparking lot owners. In some exemplary embodiments, a parking lot ownermay initiate an auction for a parking spot in the lot and allow driversto bid for the parking within the parking lot. The compensation may be aprice that may be higher or lower than the usual rate. As an example,the price may be lower in case there is low occupancy of the parkinglot. In some exemplary embodiments, the parking lot owner can initiatethe auction automatically based on predetermined rules and conditions,manually, such as through a web interface or a mobile app, or the like.

In Step 430, an auction may be selected from the active auctions. Theauction may be selected automatically, such as based on predeterminedrules and without user action. Additionally or alternatively, theauction may be selected by the driver. The driver may be presented witha list of the active auctions on a display of the mobile device. In somecases, ETA to the parking spot may be displayed for each active auction.Additionally or alternatively, estimated walking time from the parkingspot to the target destination may be presented. Additionally oralternatively, a rating of the user who owns the auction may bepresented, such as the accumulated rating of the user from the communityin past transactions. For example, in case the user cancels auctionsafter having a winning bid, or in case the user does not honor hiscommitment in an auction to wait for the vehicle to arrive to theparking spot before vacating the parking spot, the community may rankthe user with low grades.

In Step 440, details of a bid may be determined. The details may includethe compensation. In some exemplary embodiments, the details may beprovided manually by the driver. Additionally or alternatively, thedetails may be provided automatically. In some exemplary embodiments,the compensation may be computed automatically or may be determined inaccordance with predetermined rules. As an example, the compensation maybe computed automatically, by the mobile device or by the server. Thecomputed compensation may be computed based on a distance measurementbetween the location of the vehicle and a location of the parking spotand based on the a distance measurement between the location of theparking spot and the target destination. In some exemplary embodiments,the compensation may be computed so as to provide a higher compensationwhen the estimated arrival time to the target destination is the lowest.The estimated arrival time to the target destination may be comprised ofthe time until arriving in the parking spot and walking time from theparking spot to the target destination. In some exemplary embodiments,the following formula may be used: (C₁·T_(driving)+C₂·T_(walking)),where C1 and C2 are some parameters and T_(driving) is an estimateddriving time and T_(walking) is estimated walking time. In someexemplary embodiments, a minimal value for the above-mentioned formulamay determined for all candidates. In some exemplary embodiments, acandidate may only be one with driving time below a threshold (e.g., 2minutes) and walking time below another threshold (e.g., 5 minutes). Insome exemplary embodiments, the compensation may be higher in case of adense area in which there are few available parking spots. In someexemplary embodiments, the compensation may be computed while takinginto account a median, average or common compensation of a winning bidin the neighborhood or in the area of the parking spot. Such statisticalinformation may be made available by a server, such as 130 of FIG. 1. Insome exemplary embodiments, the computed compensation may take intoaccount a number of active auctions that are relevant for the driver, soas if there are many contingences to the selected auction, the computedcompensation may be lower than the compensation in case there are fewalternatives. In some exemplary embodiments, the driver may define amaximal compensation. Additionally or alternatively, the driver maymanually modify computed compensation and the disclosed subject mattermay utilize machine learning techniques to adapt to the preferences ofthe driver.

In Step 450, the bid may be provided and an indication of whether or notthe bid had won in the auction. In some exemplary embodiments, Steps430-450 may be performed with respect to many auctions concurrently orsequentially. In case the one or more bids of the driver do not win inany auction, Steps 430-450 may be performed again and the proposedcompensation may be increased to increase the likelihood of winning inan auction. Information regarding the winning bids may also be obtainedand used to optimize future bids of the driver.

In Step 460, an indication that a bid won in an auction is received. Theindication may be received from a server, such as Server 130. In someexemplary embodiments, all other pending bids of the driver may becanceled so as to avoid having the driver win in two or more auctions.

In Step 470, navigation instructions may be provided to the driver todirect the driver to arrive at the parking spot.

In Step 475, the mobile device may continuously transmit the location ofthe vehicle of the driver. The location information may be obtained by apositioning module of the mobile device. The location information may betransmitted directly to the mobile device of the owner of the auction orindirectly, such as via Server 130. The information may be transmittedevery 10 seconds, 15 seconds, 1 minute, or the like. The owner of theauction may be presented with the location information and the owner maybe able to track the location of the driver until arriving at theparking spot. The transmission may be stopped when the driver arrives atthe parking spot. In some exemplary embodiments, arrival at the parkingspot may be detected automatically or may be indicated manually by thedriver. Additionally or alternatively, the driver may cancel thetransaction and the location information will no longer be transmitted.

In Step 480, upon arriving at the parking spot, and entering the vacatedparking spot, the transaction may be completed and the compensation maybe provided to the user who vacated the vehicle.

In Step 490, the driver may rate the user. The rating may indicate forother drivers in the future whether or not they should participate inauctions of the user. As an example, the rating may be low if the userrefuses to complete the transaction, if he vacated the parking spotprematurely, took a long time to vacate the parking spot, or the like.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A method comprising: while a vehicle is searchingfor parking, participating in a real-time auction for a parking spot,wherein said participating is performed by a mobile device of a userlocated within the vehicle; wherein said participating comprises:retrieving a list of active auctions for parking spots in a proximity ofa location of the vehicle and a target destination of the user;selecting an auction from the list of active auctions; and providing abid in the auction.
 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising inresponse to receiving an indication that the bid is a winning bid in theauction, continuously transmitting, directly or indirectly, currentlocation of the vehicle to an owner of the auction, whereby the owner ofthe auction can track the location of the vehicle.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein said continuously transmitting is stopped upon thevehicle arriving at a parking spot in the selected auction.
 14. Themethod of claim 12, wherein said continuously transmitting is stopped inresponse to a command of the owner of the auction.
 15. The method ofclaim 12, wherein said selecting and said providing is performedautomatically based on predetermined rules.
 16. The method of claim 12,wherein said selecting and said providing is performed repeatedly untila provided bid wins in a selected auction.
 17. The method of claim 12,wherein said providing a bid comprises: automatically computing, by themobile device, a compensation to be offered in the bid, wherein thecompensation is computed based on a distance measurement between thelocation of the vehicle and a location of a parking spot in the selectedauction and based on a distance measurement between the location of theparking spot and the target destination.
 18. The method of claim 12further comprising automatically determining that the vehicle issearching for parking without receiving user input, wherein saiddetermining is based on movements of the vehicle.
 19. The method ofclaim 12, wherein said participating is performed automatically withoutuser input, whereby a parking spot is detected automatically for theuser; and in response to said participating, displaying to the user oneor more navigation instructions towards the parking spot.
 20. The methodof claim 11, wherein the list of active auctions comprise a firstauction and a second auction, wherein the first auction is an auctionfor a parking spot that is about to be vacated, wherein the secondauction is an auction for parking within a parking lot.
 21. (canceled)